Television Director Economic Rights

As episodic series become more complex, so do the production schedules and Director employment periods. Directing assignments are more frequently longer, take place in multiple geographic locations and occasionally include hiatuses during the production schedule. The DGA Basic Agreement has defined rules which address these increasingly exotic schedules and typically result in additional compensation owed to the Director.

Make sure to maintain a calendar of your days worked and which type of work was performed each day to ensure accurate compensation for invoice purposes.

If you have any questions regarding these provisions or would like a DGA staff member to review your calculations before submitting an invoice please contact the DGA Contracts Dept. at 310.289.2010 or Contracts@dga.org

PAY-OR-PLAY & MINIMUM RATES OF PAY

COMPENSATION FOR WORK PERFORMED

HOW TO GET PAID

Given the complex schedules and various work rules which affect compensation it is common for a studio to not accurately determine the amount a Director is owed. This is why it’s strongly recommended an accurate calendar is maintained identifying all travel, work days (noting whether prep and/or shoot performed), and any down period.

 

This information can be input into one of the various Director invoice templates on this page to begin calculating total compensation. The completed invoice can be submitted by a Director’s representation to the producer providing a clear, streamlined accounting of all days worked. Any questions regarding calculations or disputes regarding payment can be referred to the DGA Contracts Dept at 310.289.2010 or Contracts@dga.org

 

    • Invoice Template - One Hour 

    • Invoice Template - Half Hour 

    • Invoice Template – One-Hour with Paid Post  (For Episodic High Budget SVOD or Pay TV projects that qualify for paid post)

    • Invoice Template – Half-Hour with Paid Post (For Episodic High Budget SVOD or Pay TV projects that qualify for paid post)